After reading the first book in Jennifer Beckstrand’s The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series (Huckleberry Hill), I was prepared to read another good story. Her second in the series, Huckleberry Summer does not disappoint.
Beckstrand introduces readers to some intriguing Amish characters you won’t find in most Amish novels. There is Lily Eicher, an apprehensive young woman who always strives to do what is right, especially in the eyes of her father. Will she ever stand on her own two feet and voice an opinion of her own? And then there is the charming Aden Helmuth – a tree-hugging, vegetarian Amish grandson, who has come to live with his grandparents to escape the judging eyes of his hometown. But will Huckleberry Hill be any different?
As with the first book in this series, Huckleberry Summer is a delightful story. While I found the first novel to be mostly Amish in name only, this novel seems to take better care at incorporating the ins and outs of true daily Amish living. There is an occasional line that seems out of place (for example, several of the characters say, “Oy, anyhow!”) and is distracting – especially to those of use that are true amishophiles.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. Huckleberry Summer was an entertaining read (especially the scenes with Aden’s larger-than-life dog, Pilot.) Characters from the first book of this series are scarcely mentioned and this book may easily be read as a stand-alone. After being slow to warm up to Beckstrand’s Amish fiction, I am now ready to see where the matchmaking leads next in Huckleberry Christmas (releasing in October 2014.)
Susan Ferrell and her husband make their home in the Atlanta Metro area. Although Susan struggles with chronic migraine headaches, she stays very busy as a stay-at-home mom to one very precocious 5-year old. While catching her breath, she feeds her Amishaholic tendencies by reading vast amounts of Amish literature!